Heidelberg, Mannheim, Schwetzingen and the Neckar Valley

Thousands of students lend the venerable university and residential city 30 kms east of Speyer a young and lively atmosphere. Millions of visitors a year also bring a lot of international flair to the old town. 
The castle - now in ruins after being destroyed in the wars of the 17th century - is one of the most visited sights in Germany. The ride up on the mountain railroad alone is an experience. The Palatinate is also clearly visible from the Königstuhl mountain station. 
Cross the “Old Bridge” to reach the Neuenheim district. The highlight here is the approximately two-kilometre-long Philosopher's Path, which leads up the Heiligenberg and - once at the top - makes everyone understand why you should have seen Heidelberg. 
Fun fact: one of the longest pedestrian zones in Europe actually runs through the old town!

Cross the Rhine once and then turn left - and you're in Schwetzingen. The town may not be large with just over 20,000 inhabitants, but Schwetzingen Palace and the palace gardens are definitely in the top league. Like many places in the Electoral Palatinate, neither the town nor the palace were spared the turmoil of the wars in the 17th century. Elector Carl Theodor (1724-1799) was the driving force that gave Schwetzingen the attractive baroque charm it has today. A visit to the palace gardens is a must - you will also find out why a Greek temple, a mosque and a Roman ruin can be found in such a park. Our photo tip before you return to Speyer: queue up to buy asparagus on Schlossplatz.

Mannheim (website German only) is many things: a cultural, sports and university city. But Mannheim is known above all as a city of squares. In the city centre, instead of main street, you sometimes live in N7, 20, which - once you have understood it - is a simple system that makes it easy to find your way around the grid-shaped centre, even for those who are not familiar with the city. With the Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen, the Nationaltheater known as the Schillerbühne, the Kunsthalle and the Technoseum (State Museum of Technology and Work), Mannheim is a nationally renowned theatre and museum location. Mannheim Palace is the largest closed baroque complex in Europe after Versailles. Today it is mainly used by the university. Eagles and lions are Mannheim's favorite animals. Thousands of fans regularly watch them play ice hockey and handball in the SAP Arena.

At the end of its course through Baden-Württemberg, the Neckar flows into the Rhine near Mannheim. The Neckar valley is also a popular excursion destination from Speyer, which is best explored on one of the many excursion boats or by bike. The White Fleet (website German only), for example, runs several times a day between Heidelberg and Neckarsteinach. The 8th stage of the Neckar Valley Cycle Path leads over 60 km from Eberbach to Mannheim. The route is suitable for children and trailers and has more than enough refreshment stops. A new castle awaits you around every bend and the small towns along the way are always worth a stop. The Neckar valley is quite narrow in many places. There are countless local hiking trails above the course of the river along the banks. The views are simply fantastic in many places.